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Rekody
About Rekody
Rekody is a free, open-source voice dictation tool designed for macOS users. It allows real-time transcription of spoken words into text directly at the cursor in any application. The tool operates locally on the user’s machine by default, using on-device speech recognition models to ensure privacy. Users can activate dictation by holding the Option and Space keys, with the option to switch to cloud-based engines if desired. The software supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 13 or later. It functions without requiring an account, telemetry, or network access during active dictation. The application is distributed as a single native binary, avoiding the overhead of Electron-based frameworks.
Key features
- Hold ⌥ Space to dictate, release to insert text
- Tap ⌥ Space for hands-free continuous dictation
- On-device transcription with Whisper models
- Optional cloud engine support with user-provided API key
- Single native binary, no Electron framework
- Auto-updates available
- CLI available via Homebrew
- No network calls during active dictation
Use cases
- Hands-free note-taking or document creation
- Transcribing meetings or lectures in real time
- Accessibility tool for users with mobility limitations
Pros
- Runs entirely on-device by default
- No account or telemetry required
- Supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs
- Works in any application at the cursor
- Open-source with MIT license
Cons
- Limited to macOS 13+
- Real-time streaming requires Apple Silicon
- No cloud sync or account-based features
- English-only speech recognition by default
Frequently asked questions about Rekody
What is Rekody and how does it work?
Rekody is a free, open-source voice dictation tool for macOS that transcribes spoken words into text in real time. Users activate it by holding the Option and Space keys, and the transcribed text appears at the cursor in any application. The tool operates locally by default using on-device speech recognition models.
Who is Rekody designed for?
Rekody is designed for macOS users who prefer hands-free text input, particularly those who value privacy and offline functionality. It suits writers, developers, researchers, and anyone needing quick or extended voice-to-text transcription without cloud dependency.
Does Rekody require an internet connection to work?
No, Rekody works entirely offline by default. Speech recognition happens on the user’s machine, and no network calls are made during active dictation unless the user opts into a cloud-based engine.
Can Rekody be used with cloud-based speech recognition engines?
Yes, Rekody supports cloud-based speech recognition engines as an optional feature. Users can enable these engines with their own API keys, but transcription still occurs locally unless explicitly configured otherwise.
How do I get started with Rekody?
To get started, download the native macOS binary from the Rekody website, drag it to the Applications folder, and run it. Dictation is activated by holding the Option and Space keys, and text appears at the cursor in any app. The CLI version is also available via Homebrew.
Is Rekody available for Intel Macs or only Apple Silicon?
Rekody supports both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs running macOS 13 or later. The tool is distributed as a single native binary, ensuring compatibility across these platforms without requiring Electron-based frameworks.